Phillip's Guidebook
Food scene
Most of my recommendations will be classic New York establishments.
One of best burgers in New York. Classic Establishment. Cash Only. Upper East Side.
102 locals recommend
JG Melon
1291 3rd AveOne of best burgers in New York. Classic Establishment. Cash Only. Upper East Side.
Classic Jewish smoked fish bagel establishment in the neighborhood. Try the lox or sturgeon.
73 locals recommend
Barney Greengrass
541 Amsterdam AveClassic Jewish smoked fish bagel establishment in the neighborhood. Try the lox or sturgeon.
H&H Bagels
1551 2nd AveGreat Bagel spot in the neighborhood.
Milk Bar Midtown
119 W 56th StVery good unique desserts in the neighborhood.
Magnolia Bakery
401 Bleecker StCupcakes and banana pudding! In the neighborhood
Joe's Pizza
7 Carmine StBest slice in NYC. The village.
John's of Bleecker St.
278 Bleecker StBest pie in NYC. Sit down only. The village.
Joe's Shanghai
46 BoweryBest soup dumplings around. Chinatown.
Ashoka Indian Restaurant
489 Columbus AvenueAmazing Indian food in the neighborhood. Curry and light beers.
Peking Duck House
28 Mott StBYOB and cheap great Peking duck. Chinatown.
Pho Bang
157 Mott StBest Pho in NYC. Little Italy/Chinatown.
Eataly NYC Flatiron
200 5th Ave$1 oysters every day at 5pm. Get there early or wait in a huge line! In the neighborhood.
175 locals recommend
The Mermaid Inn
570 Amsterdam Ave$1 oysters every day at 5pm. Get there early or wait in a huge line! In the neighborhood.
Really cool pizza shop in Lower East Side with cheap beers in the back.
66 locals recommend
Scarr's Pizza
35 Orchard StReally cool pizza shop in Lower East Side with cheap beers in the back.
The Consulate
519 Columbus AvenueGood brunch and dinner spot. French food. In the neighborhood.
Katz's Delicatessen
205 E Houston StThe classic Pastrami sandwich place. Lower East Side.
Gray's Papaya
2090 BroadwayLocal Famous Hot Dog shop in the neighborhood.
The best cookies you will ever have. In the neighborhood.
215 locals recommend
Levain Bakery - 74th Street
167 W 74th StThe best cookies you will ever have. In the neighborhood.
Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal StClassic. Excellent. Some say best burger in New York.
Gramercy Tavern
42 E 20th StClassy and excellent.
Famous NYC burger and milk shake chain. The original is in Bryant Park and is an actual shack. There is another restaurant a few blocks south of the apartment.
993 locals recommend
Shake Shack
Madison AvenueFamous NYC burger and milk shake chain. The original is in Bryant Park and is an actual shack. There is another restaurant a few blocks south of the apartment.
Corner Bistro
331 West 4th StreetCheap beer and burgers in the beautiful West Village.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
620 Manhattan AveGreat Ice Cream in the neighborhood!!!
Great local Ice cream if you walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to the Brooklyn Promenade.
Ample Hills Creamery Fire Boat House
1 Water StGreat local Ice cream if you walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to the Brooklyn Promenade.
7th Street Burger
91 East 7th StreetDouble Smash Burger*
Locally Famous NYC classic Chinese establishment known to attract celebrities. The classic American Chinese food establishment.
50 locals recommend
Wo Hop Next Door
15 Mott StLocally Famous NYC classic Chinese establishment known to attract celebrities. The classic American Chinese food establishment.
Regina's Grocery
27 Orchard StItalian Deli with amazing sandwiches in LES.
In Little Italy. Oldest cheese shop in America. Has amazing Italian Deli sandwiches.
7 locals recommend
Alleva Dairy
188 Grand StIn Little Italy. Oldest cheese shop in America. Has amazing Italian Deli sandwiches.
The Smith
1150 BroadwayClassic American Eatery.
Milk Bar West Village
35 Downing StAmazing pizza and cheeseburgers! In the West Village.
La Grande Boucherie
145 West 53rd StreetBeautifully esthetic French restaurant.
Cool French place with amazing burgers. Get there early before the burgers run out! Good for brunch.
86 locals recommend
Raoul's
180 Prince StCool French place with amazing burgers. Get there early before the burgers run out! Good for brunch.
Shu Jiao Fu Zhou
295 Grand StVery good and cheap Chinese noodles and dumplings.
A Brooklyn institution and home of the Famous Grandma square slice.
46 locals recommend
L&B Spumoni Gardens
2725 86th StA Brooklyn institution and home of the Famous Grandma square slice.
Dinner
Here are some of my recommendations. I tend to recommend more classic establishments.
M-Thur sit at the bar with Drew. Fri-sun sit with Sergio. Tell them Phil sent you. Eat some vodka penne with a meat or a fish and some free cheese and meats with a cocktail. Great raw seafood and the best shrimp in the city. Piano player every night at 7pm. Upper East Side.
14 locals recommend
Campagnola
1382 1st Ave.M-Thur sit at the bar with Drew. Fri-sun sit with Sergio. Tell them Phil sent you. Eat some vodka penne with a meat or a fish and some free cheese and meats with a cocktail. Great raw seafood and the best shrimp in the city. Piano player every night at 7pm. Upper East Side.
Porterhouse steak for 2/3, with creamed spinach, asparagus, and lobster Mac n Cheese. 31st and Park.
35 locals recommend
Wolfgang's
4 Park AvePorterhouse steak for 2/3, with creamed spinach, asparagus, and lobster Mac n Cheese. 31st and Park.
Spiga to Go
57 W 84th StBYO Wine. Cheap chill sidewalk dining. In the neighborhood.
Quality Italian
57 W 57th StGreat Italian Food. Great vibes. Midtown.
Great place to go before going to the opera or a show at Lincoln Center. Good burger and raw bar. In the neighborhood. The original is on the Upper East Side. There is one in the Upper West Side as well.
80 locals recommend
PJ Clarke's
915 3rd AveGreat place to go before going to the opera or a show at Lincoln Center. Good burger and raw bar. In the neighborhood. The original is on the Upper East Side. There is one in the Upper West Side as well.
Il Mulino New York - Downtown
86 W 3rd StHigh End Italian.
Lavagna
545 E 5th StReally cool Lower East side Italian place.
Momofuku Noodle Bar
171 1st Ave.Amazing noodle soups. Columbus Circle.
Great family style cheap Italian food. 91st Street(not Times Square location).
68 locals recommend
Carmine's
2450 BroadwayGreat family style cheap Italian food. 91st Street(not Times Square location).
Keens Steakhouse
72 W 36th StOld School Steak House. Used to be a men only smoking club.
Chinese Tuxedo
5 Doyers StGreat classic Chinese spot. Good scene.
Bamonte's
32 Withers StOld school/Old world Italian-American food at its finest.
Spectacular Italian restaurant with amazing vibe. Celebrities frequent. It’s hard to get a reservation but not impossible. Try to book a reservation on their website for lunch or dinner online at 10am sharp. Which is when they open the online reservations daily. They go fast but sometimes you get lucky
71 locals recommend
Carbone
181 Thompson StSpectacular Italian restaurant with amazing vibe. Celebrities frequent. It’s hard to get a reservation but not impossible. Try to book a reservation on their website for lunch or dinner online at 10am sharp. Which is when they open the online reservations daily. They go fast but sometimes you get lucky
Pastis
52 Gansevoort StFamous French restaurant in the meatpacking district.
Check out the neighborhood restaurant owned and operated by Lady Gaga’s parents.
6 locals recommend
Joanne Trattoria
70 W 68th StCheck out the neighborhood restaurant owned and operated by Lady Gaga’s parents.
Le Bilboquet
20 E 60th StClassy French upper east side restaurant.
Peter Luger Steak House
178 BroadwayThe classic and original New York steakhouse.
Blue Ribbon Brasserie
97 Sullivan StClassic spot frequented by chefs and open late.
Sightseeing
Check out the home of the New York Opera, ballet and symphony. Also has beautiful views at night and during the summer usually has some free events to go to on the grounds.
621 locals recommend
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Lincoln Center PlazaCheck out the home of the New York Opera, ballet and symphony. Also has beautiful views at night and during the summer usually has some free events to go to on the grounds.
Really cool view of the city from New York’s newest neighborhood, Hudson Yards.
16 locals recommend
The Edge Building
30 Hudson YardsReally cool view of the city from New York’s newest neighborhood, Hudson Yards.
Drive right past the Statue of Liberty for free on the Staten Island Ferry.
254 locals recommend
Staten Island Ferry
Staten Island FerryDrive right past the Statue of Liberty for free on the Staten Island Ferry.
Check out the new exhibits and the amazing art. Just a short walk across the park from the apartment.
2653 locals recommend
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th AveCheck out the new exhibits and the amazing art. Just a short walk across the park from the apartment.
Check out some great Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso exhibits.
2114 locals recommend
The Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53rd StreetCheck out some great Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso exhibits.
Citi Field
41 Seaver WayCheck out a Mets game at Citi Field.
Yankee Stadium
1 E 161 StCheck out the world famous Yankees.
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Grand Central Terminal station
89 E 42nd StTake a walk down St. Marks Place and check out the various bars, hookah bars, shops and Restaurants with a funky downtown vibe.
13 locals recommend
Saint Marks Place
Saint Marks PlaceTake a walk down St. Marks Place and check out the various bars, hookah bars, shops and Restaurants with a funky downtown vibe.
See one of the oldest, very gothic and most sought after apartment buildings in the city. Also where John Lennon was shot and where Yoko Ono still lives along with many other famous New Yorkers.
79 locals recommend
The Dakota
1 W 72nd StSee one of the oldest, very gothic and most sought after apartment buildings in the city. Also where John Lennon was shot and where Yoko Ono still lives along with many other famous New Yorkers.
Look into the history of gangsters in New York and see one of the countries oldest speak easies.
12 locals recommend
Exhibition-The Amer Gangster
80 St Marks PlLook into the history of gangsters in New York and see one of the countries oldest speak easies.
The High Line Park
Take a scenic, artsy walk on the high line for free.
Madison Square Park
11 Madison AveBryant Park
$10-$15 tickets for a boat ride up the Hudson with a full bar and lobster! You can stay on it as long as you want.
20 locals recommend
North River Lobster Company
West 41st Street$10-$15 tickets for a boat ride up the Hudson with a full bar and lobster! You can stay on it as long as you want.
9/11 Memorial South Pool
180 Greenwich StTake a walk or morning jog around the 1.5 mile loop in Central Park close the the apartment.
142 locals recommend
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir
Take a walk or morning jog around the 1.5 mile loop in Central Park close the the apartment.
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
12th AvenueTake a scenic boat tour around Manhattan.
Take a walk in Riverside park and check out a beautiful sunset over the Hudson River. Upper West Side.
502 locals recommend
Riverside Park
Take a walk in Riverside park and check out a beautiful sunset over the Hudson River. Upper West Side.
Check out Rockefeller center. Go during lunch and find a lot of great food trucks. Also where the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree is lit.
759 locals recommend
Rockefeller Center
45 Rockefeller PlazaCheck out Rockefeller center. Go during lunch and find a lot of great food trucks. Also where the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree is lit.
Check out one of the only alleys in New York City. Made famous by the street art. Also eat at the restaurant freeman’s and check out their speakeasy upstairs.
6 locals recommend
Freeman Alley
Freeman AlleyCheck out one of the only alleys in New York City. Made famous by the street art. Also eat at the restaurant freeman’s and check out their speakeasy upstairs.
Fp Wellness Dispensary NYC | Manhattan Dispensary | Medical Marijuana
2 E 30th StIf you have a spare day and want to check out a historic city beach and boardwalk take the train to Coney Island. There’s the Coney Island Brewery, rides, and Ruby’s Bar and Grille for some frozen cocktails on the boardwalk.
663 locals recommend
Coney Island
If you have a spare day and want to check out a historic city beach and boardwalk take the train to Coney Island. There’s the Coney Island Brewery, rides, and Ruby’s Bar and Grille for some frozen cocktails on the boardwalk.
Bars
Mostly local or classic NYC bars.
Wings and beer. Great local sports bar. In the neighborhood. Special on hot wings on Monday.
20 locals recommend
Blondies Sports NYC
212 W 79th StWings and beer. Great local sports bar. In the neighborhood. Special on hot wings on Monday.
Prohibition
503 Columbus AveLive music every night half a block away from the apartment.
Inside Grand Central station. Check out the Saloon which is a classic bar in the back. If you go around 5pm you will see a lot of well dressed New Yorkers having a martini before taking the train back home.
42 locals recommend
Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant
89 East 42nd StreetInside Grand Central station. Check out the Saloon which is a classic bar in the back. If you go around 5pm you will see a lot of well dressed New Yorkers having a martini before taking the train back home.
Rudy's Bar & Grill
627 9th AveFree hotdog with every beer. Anthony Bourdain favorite.
Spring Lounge
48 Spring StClassic Downtown bar in the cool neighborhood of Soho.
Pete's Tavern
129 E 18th StClassic Venue. Depicted in several movies.
The Dakota
1 W 72nd StNeighborhood Bar. Ask for Alicia and tell her Phil sent you.
McSorley's Old Ale House
15 E 7th StOldest bar in New York. Try the light and dark beer.
Hudson Bar & Books
636 Hudson StCigar Bar downtown
Cigar bar with really good live brass band on Thursdays and Saturdays.
6 locals recommend
The Carnegie Club
156 W 56th StCigar bar with really good live brass band on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Murphy's Law New York City
417 E 70th StClassic Upper East Side Irish Pub
Monarch Rooftop
71 W 35th StCool rooftop bar with great view of Empire State Building.
Class Russian Vodka Bar with old world vibes.
10 locals recommend
Russian Samovar Restaurant and Piano Bar
256 W 52nd StClass Russian Vodka Bar with old world vibes.
Classic downtown bar in the financial district. Be sure to check it out if you go down and see Wall Street.
122 locals recommend
The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog
30 Water StClassic downtown bar in the financial district. Be sure to check it out if you go down and see Wall Street.
The Campbell
15 Vanderbilt AveOld School very New York Bar at Grand Central Station.
Live Music played every night. Just a at the corner from my apartment. Ask for Roxie. Tell her Phil sent you.
65 locals recommend
Prohibition
503 Columbus AveLive Music played every night. Just a at the corner from my apartment. Ask for Roxie. Tell her Phil sent you.
Have a drink at this classic establishment with a really cool round oak bar. Also get the tomahawk steak for two and eat it by the fire. It’s not on the menu but they have it.
66 locals recommend
Tavern On the Green
West 67th StreetHave a drink at this classic establishment with a really cool round oak bar. Also get the tomahawk steak for two and eat it by the fire. It’s not on the menu but they have it.
Rao’s is the hardest place to get a reservation in NYC and maybe the world. It is a little known fact that you can go to the bar for a drink. Hence I put it in the “bar” section. Because eating here will be almost impossible. So if you want to grab a drink M-F at the bar it’s quite the experience. You will see some famous people, mafiosos, politicians and other famous New Yorkers. If you dress up and give a good vibe occasionally the owner will walk up to you and ask if you are hungry. It’s happened to me a few times. No guarantees but it’s a good spot to stop in for a drink and people watch! Cash only.
69 locals recommend
Rao's
455 E 114th StRao’s is the hardest place to get a reservation in NYC and maybe the world. It is a little known fact that you can go to the bar for a drink. Hence I put it in the “bar” section. Because eating here will be almost impossible. So if you want to grab a drink M-F at the bar it’s quite the experience. You will see some famous people, mafiosos, politicians and other famous New Yorkers. If you dress up and give a good vibe occasionally the owner will walk up to you and ask if you are hungry. It’s happened to me a few times. No guarantees but it’s a good spot to stop in for a drink and people watch! Cash only.
Neighborhoods
Check out a little Italy food tour and see where Martin Scorsese grew up or Joe Gallo was murdered by the mob.
312 locals recommend
Little Italy
189 Grand StCheck out a little Italy food tour and see where Martin Scorsese grew up or Joe Gallo was murdered by the mob.
Seaport
Check out the shops and eat some seafood in the seaport neighborhood.
Saint Marks Place
Saint Marks PlaceVibey Street in East Village with restaurants and bars.
Check out the Beautiful West Village by taking a quick ride down the C train. Lot of high end cafe’s and restaurants with picturesque New York streets.
224 locals recommend
West Village
Check out the Beautiful West Village by taking a quick ride down the C train. Lot of high end cafe’s and restaurants with picturesque New York streets.
SoHo
Hang out, shop, eat and drink where the models live.
Check out the Bowery neighborhood and see some live music in the area that it’s famous for.
20 locals recommend
Bowery
BoweryCheck out the Bowery neighborhood and see some live music in the area that it’s famous for.
Check out this funky neighborhood with a lot of good restaurants.
214 locals recommend
Lower East Side
175 Eldridge StCheck out this funky neighborhood with a lot of good restaurants.
Check out the old money part of New York and take a walk down Park Avenue and do some window shopping at the High End retailers on Madison Avenue.
97 locals recommend
Upper East Side
Check out the old money part of New York and take a walk down Park Avenue and do some window shopping at the High End retailers on Madison Avenue.
Go to the Financial District to check out Wall Street, The 9/11 Memorial and see where the money and power of New York work.
90 locals recommend
Financial District
Go to the Financial District to check out Wall Street, The 9/11 Memorial and see where the money and power of New York work.
Take a walk around the beautiful and historic Upper West Side with its streets full of brownstones and the historic buildings of Central Park West.
97 locals recommend
Upper West Side
Take a walk around the beautiful and historic Upper West Side with its streets full of brownstones and the historic buildings of Central Park West.
Take a walk around the neighborhood Robert Dinero made famous for its artist community and high end restaurants.
94 locals recommend
TriBeCa
Take a walk around the neighborhood Robert Dinero made famous for its artist community and high end restaurants.
Take a walk around Chinatown and stop in some local noodle shops for cheap eats and shopping. Take a walk down Canal street made famous for its knock off vendors.
497 locals recommend
Chinatown
Take a walk around Chinatown and stop in some local noodle shops for cheap eats and shopping. Take a walk down Canal street made famous for its knock off vendors.
Check out the funky seen in the east village. Lot of restaurants and party spots.
216 locals recommend
East Village
Check out the funky seen in the east village. Lot of restaurants and party spots.
Gorcery Shopping
Local Grocery stores close to the apartment.
Convenient but way overpriced. Closest grocery store to the apartment.
66 locals recommend
Gristedes Foods
Convenient but way overpriced. Closest grocery store to the apartment.
Trader Joe's
715 River RdBudget groceries but good quality on W 92nd and Columbus.
Classic New York Grocery Establishment with great Jewish style food and treats in the cafe. Great cheese selection as well.
205 locals recommend
Zabar's
2245 BroadwayClassic New York Grocery Establishment with great Jewish style food and treats in the cafe. Great cheese selection as well.
This is a farmers market that pops up every Sunday on Columbus avenue. Just a few blocks south of the apartment.
7 locals recommend
79th Street Greenmarket
Columbus AvenueThis is a farmers market that pops up every Sunday on Columbus avenue. Just a few blocks south of the apartment.
Coffee Shops
Local UWS coffee shop close to apt.
Joe Coffee Company
514 Columbus Ave
PlantShed Cafe
Local coffee shop.
About Coffee
71 Sullivan StLocal Coffee Shop
Bluestone Lane Upper West Side Café
417 Amsterdam AvenueLocal coffee shop.
Bougie Coffee Shop and cafe. Upper East Side. Owned by the famous fashion designer Ralph Lauren.
Ralph's Coffee
888 Madison AveBougie Coffee Shop and cafe. Upper East Side. Owned by the famous fashion designer Ralph Lauren.
Eat Pretty
501 1/2 East 83rd StreetDesigner coffee shop and drinks.